Lauri Markkanen has been the NBA's most eligible trade piece since his All-Star 2022 season -- his first season with the Utah Jazz and a major breakout campaign for the 7-foot Finnish shooter. It seems that every time the NBA trade rumor mill gets fired back up, it's Markkanen in demand from Los Angeles to New York, and from San Antonio to Minnesota.
And for good reason. At his best, Markkanen is a rapid-fire heat-seeking missile whose fingertips deliver a devastating strike that meet the goal with a gentle ploink! Strong, incredible size (7 feet and 240 pounds of pure Finn beefcake), and capable of cashing in a long-range contested three-ball on one end, only to turn around on the next offensive series and power home a dunk so vicious you'll wonder if your family is safe within the confines of the arena.
Naturally, a player like this is a hot commodity while rostered with last season's league-worst record-holding Jazz. A team happy to deal proven players in exchange for a taste of another team's future via young players and draft assets, Utah and Austin Ainge are a tandem that find themselves on the phone constantly answering inquiries about their best talents.
Per Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune, Lauri Markkanen could be next up on the market. Today's special? A potentially franchise-altering talent. Any takers?
Facing the question, "Do you think that Lauri [Markkanen] is on [the Utah Jazz] at the end of the season?" Larsen didn't hesitate. "I think he's traded in the next two windows -- I'll put it that way. So either at the trade deadline or next offseason."
For a player who can't seem to keep his name out of trade rumors, Lauri remains on the Jazz year after year, whether that's for a lack of competitive offers or a lack of interest from the Jazz. Larsen, a beat writer and a voice who's been very close to the team for years, seems to believe that this time, the rumblings that a trade's a-brewing are a serious warning for shake-up.
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